International religious communities (and parishes) are much more diverse than formerly, when people belonged to a Province (or parish) along with others from their own cultural and linguistic group.  Today’s communities are increasingly characterized by diversity – of age, social class, ethnicity, culture, and so on.  But diversity does not necessarily produce harmony and many people might be said to be “living together separately.”  This happens in communities that are international and multi-cultural, rather than intercultural.  Intercultural living is only possible through a concerted effort inspired and sustained by faith rather than pragmatism.  But unless the future of international religious life becomes intercultural in character, such communities will fragment rather than cohere, and become local, monocultural or tribal.  In today’s world, international religious communities should be leaders in the reconfiguring of society into communities of diverse people sustained by common aims and vision.  But the dynamics of culture and social margins, and the forces of marginalization must be better understood if this is to happen. This program invites us all to reflect on how we might better image the realm of God and promote God’s Mission in our daily living, whether we are young and active, or aging and perhaps infirm. 

Resource Person: Anthony J. Gittins, CSSp., taught Theology and Anthropology at The Missionary Institute, London, UK, from 1980 to 1984, and at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago from 1984 until 2011, where he held the Bishop Ford Chair of Mission Theology between 1999 and 2008, and is now Emeritus Professor of Theology and Culture.  Born in Manchester (England), and ordained in 1967, after completing his theological studies he subsequently earned M.A.s in Theoretical Linguistics and in Social Anthropology, and a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  After ministry in Africa, he pursued post-doctoral research at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, England. 

He is a religious, priest, and member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans). Gittins focused on the interface between the social sciences and theological disciplines, teaching courses with Professors of Bible, Liturgy and Pastoral Care.  He continues to do Consultancy work and offer workshops, seminars, short courses and retreats in more than thirty-five countries from Africa to the Pacific. 

In terms of pastoral ministry, he worked for thirty years with and among homeless women on the streets of Chicago and in a shelter.  For seven years he was part of Genesis House – a community where women struggle to escape from prostitution. 

For almost a decade (1972-1980) he worked among the Mende people of Sierra Leone, West Africa, as a missionary pastor, linguist and anthropologist.  From 1980 to 1984 he was Formation Director in London, and lectured at the Missionary Institute there.  Since then he has done missionary anthropological work beyond Africa, including Pakistan, Kiribati and the Trobriand Islands. He is the author of seventeen books on theological and anthropological topics, and on mission and spirituality.  Most recently Living Mission Interculturally: Faith, Culture, and the Renewal of Praxis (Liturgical Press, 2015); The Way of Discipleship: Women. Men, and the Call to Mission (Liturgical Press, 2016) and Courage and Conviction: Unpretentious Christianity (Liturgical Press, forthcoming).

Recommended Readings:

Bauckham, Richard.  Jesus and  the Eyewitnesses. (Eerdmans, 2006)

Bowe, Barbara.  Biblical Foundations of Spirituality: Touching a Finger to the Flame.  (Sheed and Ward, 2003)

Camp, Lee.  Mere Discipleship.  (Brazos Press, 2003)

Gittins, Anthony.  A Presence That Disturbs: The Call to Radical Discipleship. (Liguori, 2002)

Ministry at the Margins: Strategy and Spirituality for Mission.  (Orbis, 2002)

Encountering Jesus: How People Come to Faith and Discover Discipleship. (Liguori, 2002)

Come, Follow Me: The Commandments of Jesus.  (Liguori, 2004)

Called to be Sent: Co-Missioned as Disciples Today. ( Liguori, 2008)

Nolan, Albert.  Jesus Before Christianity.  (Orbis, 2001)